Will a possible MLB lockout in 2027 matter to you?
 

With the current MLB-MLBPA Collective Bargaining Agreement expiring at the end of the 2026 season, there has been a lot of chatter about a likely lockout of the 2027 season. This will have potentially grave consequences for those who work in the industry. But if you're a fan of the sport or a dealer of MLB-licensed trading cards -- as most on Blowout are -- will it ultimately matter to you if most or all of the 2027 is lost?

I feel like the answer should be no, in general, for dealers. Most could fairly easily pivot to other kinds of cards, whether it be other sports or Pokemon. But obviously, for those who rely exclusively on new baseball product or the annual hype cycles of MLB rookies and MVP candidates to sell cards, a lockout would probably be very impactful to their sales.

If you're coming at this issue from the perspective of fan, I also think a lockout shouldn't be a big deal. We lost 102 games during the 2020 season and it ultimately didn't seem to impact fans long-term. It would suck to not have a season to watch, but knowing there will be games the following season would be reassuring. And seeing the big-spending Dodgers dominating the rest of the league the last couple of seasons maybe shows it's time for the economics of the sport to be restructured so there can be more competitive balance.

So, am I way off in my assessment and a lockout would be a huge deal for you? Or am I right, and it will won't be a big deal and most everyone in the hobby will be able to adjust?

Yes. It looks like it will be inevitable and I think it’s going to hurt the sport.

Will you post here less if there’s a lockout?

Eh, it’s all just entertainment. I’ll live.

[QUOTE=BostonNut;20061231]Eh, it’s all just entertainment. I’ll live.[/QUOTE]

And unlike 1994, there are so many other forms of entertainment to pass the time. Losing a season won't be the end of the world -- people will adjust and anticipate the return of games the following year.

[QUOTE=NYBBFAN;20061230]Will you post here less if there’s a lockout?[/QUOTE]

I feel like I would post more, at least initially -- it would be a big shake-up of things and something worth discussing. I post in other sections of the site, so I don't need MLB games or new baseball card releases to have something to talk about on BO.

[QUOTE=fabiani12333;20061238]I feel like I would post more, at least initially -- it would be a big shake-up of things and something worth discussing. I post in other sections of the site, so I don't need MLB games or new baseball card releases to have something to talk about on BO.[/QUOTE]

Is a lockout going to prevent new baseball card releases?

[QUOTE=Twalk1975;20061244]Is a lockout going to prevent new baseball card releases?[/QUOTE]

I think so, no? Aren't the rights tied up with the CBA?

[QUOTE=fabiani12333;20061236]And unlike 1994, there are so many other forms of entertainment to pass the time. Losing a season won't be the end of the world -- people will adjust and anticipate the return of games the following year.[/QUOTE]

People adjusted in 1994. I don’t think the suicide rate went up too much during the strike. People deal with parents and children dying, doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck.
Can you arrive at some kinda point?

[QUOTE=carlo16;20061251]Can you arrive at some kinda point?[/QUOTE]

My point ultimately is, even though many fans and dealers are fretting a possible lockout, it may not be a big deal. They will be able to adjust to the new circumstances. Losing 102 games during the 2020 season showed the game can survive a loss of a big chunk of a season -- maybe a full season. Fans and hobbyists will be ready to welcome the league back the following year, if it comes to that.

I’ll still be collecting!

[QUOTE=hermanotarjeta;20061260]I’ll still be collecting![/QUOTE]

Right? There are so many cards in existence to chase -- one year of no new releases isn't going to kill the baseball card hobby.

Depends on the final outcome to me. If progress is made to make the economics of the game more equitable through a re-negotiated CBA then I am fine with it.

[QUOTE=fabiani12333;20061261]Right? There are so many cards in existence to chase -- one year of no new releases isn't going to kill the baseball card hobby.[/QUOTE]

Maybe fanatics will finally catch up!

They can release all the remaining 2025 and 2026 products during the 2027 lockout, then start 2028 from scratch but on schedule again.

[QUOTE=sheetskout;20061262]Depends on the final outcome to me. If progress is made to make the economics of the game more equitable through a re-negotiated CBA then I am fine with it.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, if the end result makes the loss of games worth it, most fans will be understanding. If it's just the owners and players bickering and playing a game of chicken, but ultimately the status quo remains and there is not much improvement to the sport, fans will be bitter and resentful.

[QUOTE=fabiani12333;20061259]My point ultimately is, even though many fans and dealers are fretting a possible lockout, it may not be a big deal. They will be able to adjust to the new circumstances. Losing 102 games during the 2020 season showed the game can survive a loss of a big chunk of a season -- maybe a full season. Fans and hobbyists will be ready to welcome the league back the following year, if it comes to that.[/QUOTE]

Yeah because people had a lot of other entertainment options in 2020. I loved staring out my window and going for walks around the block trying to avoid other people.

[QUOTE=hermanotarjeta;20061264]Maybe fanatics will finally catch up!

They can release all the remaining 2025 and 2026 products during the 2027 lockout, then start 2028 from scratch but on schedule again.[/QUOTE]

I like it; I like it. A restart might be just what Topps and this hobby need.

[QUOTE=fabiani12333;20061238][B]I feel like I would post more[/B], at least initially -- it would be a big shake-up of things and something worth discussing. I post in other sections of the site, so I don't need MLB games or new baseball card releases to have something to talk about on BO.[/QUOTE]


I am very much in the anti-strike camp. The players and owners must come to an agreement.

At the same time, I hope you revisit your other interests more frequently.

[QUOTE=carlo16;20061271]Yeah because people had a lot of other entertainment options in 2020. I loved staring out my window and going for walks around the block trying to avoid other people.[/QUOTE]

Streaming services exploded during that time. The lockdowns were bad for everyone -- especially children -- but we still found a way to pass the time. The hobby also exploded in popularity during that time, if you remember.

[QUOTE=fabiani12333;20061277]Streaming services exploded during that time. The lockdowns were bad for everyone -- especially children -- but we still found a way to pass the time. The hobby also exploded in popularity during that time, if you remember.[/QUOTE]

Yeah because people were trapped in their homes.

Going grocery shopping was like going on vacation. You’re strange.

[QUOTE=fabiani12333;20061248]I think so, no? Aren't the rights tied up with the CBA?[/QUOTE]

I do not know. I'm guessing there are separate agreements with both MLB and the MLBPA. Not sure if its tied to the CBA or not.

I would hope both sides learned from 1994.

Yes. I want to see Juanny and judge get to 500 homers.

[QUOTE=Twalk1975;20061285]I do not know. I'm guessing there are separate agreements with both MLB and the MLBPA. Not sure if its tied to the CBA or not.[/QUOTE]

I think you're right -- it won't impact new releases. It will obviously prevent any new players from having cards made, though, as there won't be any debuts during the lockout. So, any new releases will be based on the previous season's players.

[QUOTE=fabiani12333;20061314]I think you're right -- it won't impact new releases. It will obviously prevent any new players from having cards made, though, as there won't be any debuts during the lockout. So, any new releases will be based on the previous season's players.[/QUOTE]

I suppose it will be interesting to watch next year if Topps plays with the rookie/call up thing in anticipation of a lockout.